A Passing Fancy
Encyclopedia
A Passing Fancy was a Toronto
band from the mid-1960s fronted by the singer-songwriter
and guitarist
Jay Telfer, today publisher and editor of the antique collector's magazine Wayback Times, and Dr. Brian Price, president of In The Game Hockey Cards.
, (future president of True North Records and Bruce Cockburn
's longstanding manager), who had also been a student at Downsview. After playing dates at many high schools across Ontario, the Dimensions became the house band at Cafe El Patio in the Yorkville Village through Finkelstein's connections. The band changed name to A Passing Fancy in January 1966 when Finkelstein left to take over the management of The Paupers
.
By this stage, Rick Mann (aka Fruchtman) had replaced Jay's brother on bass. The new line-up began to gig extensively on the local scene. Through the band's fan club president, Barb Young, A Passing Fancy was introduced to record storeowner Walter Honsberger and partner Dan Bartollini, who began to shape the band's sound and image as Wal-Dan Management. Within a few months, the management team had wrangled a three-single deal with Columbia Records. The first single under this deal, I'm Losin' Tonight was very successful and charted across Canada.
In September 1966, Steve Wilson came in to replace Greg Hershoff on the drums. Aside from playing regularly at clubs like the Night Owl, the Gogue Inn and Club 888, A Passing Fancy also worked extensively at the Blue Fox and established a local following throughout late 1966 and early 1967.
During the summer of 1967, A Passing Fancy played at Expo ’67 in Montreal where they jammed with local band, Les Tetes Blanches. The moderate success of the singles, prompted Columbia to finance a fourth single, “People In Me”, was listed at #48 and failed to chart anymore when it was released in December.
Telfer's demanding need to practice was met with little enthusiasm by Price who was completing his third year in university and wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. In March 1968, Price quit. Although Telfer was recognized as the musical leader of the group, Price was the founder and spiritual and business leader. His leaving the band had a major impact on Seon and Mann. A Passing Fancy carried on by replacing Price with Fergus Hambleton on organ and vocals and Brian Smith who contributed a third folky guitar but the chemistry of the band was never the same.
After shooting at the CBC, playing the first Let's Go TV show in colour and performing that same night at the Granite club, Telfer was told by the Wal-Dan management that he would no longer be in the group. Unhappy over the new direction Seon and Mann left shortly thereafter. A few months later, in June 1968, the remaining members of the band also left.
The new line up recorded four tracks, which the management took to John Irvine of Boo Records. Irvine helped piece together an album's worth of material and released a lone single, “Your Trip”, but it sold poorly.
The self-titled album, which featured all of the Columbia singles, (including an alternate mix of “I’m Losing Tonight” with no lead guitar) was released in November 1968. Like the single, the album failed to make an impression despite the band holding down a residency at the El Patio throughout the latter part of 1968 and early 1969. By June 1969, the band had broken up.
and Louis McKelvey from Milkwood
; Murray McLauchlan
and Kevin Staples
, who later found fame with Rough Trade
. Telfer died in May 2009.
Staples also played guitar on an album that Telfer and Fergus Hambleton recorded together for Allied Records called “Come Together” as Goody Two Shoes. Telfer resumed a solo career and recorded a string of singles and a 1974 album, "Time Has Tied Me" for Axe Records in 1973-1974. On that album, Jay brought back Murray McLauchlan, Malcolm Tomlinson, Fred Mollin, Rick Mann, Fergus Hambleton and Kevin Staples.
In 1975, Jay Telfer moved to LA to marry and quickly divorce Bonnie Bedelia and later became a script writer for Cannon Films, which included 1977's Kid Vengeance, starring Jim Brown, Lee Van Cleef and Leif Garrett. In Toronto in 1979, Telfer wrote You've Come a Long Way, Katie a three hour piece on cross-addiction for CBC.
Brian Price graduated dentistry in 1972 and practiced for eight years before he founded Tridont Dental Centres in 1980. Tridont opened 107 dental offices under the from coast to coast in Canada. Price challenged dentists' right to advertise their services to the public in 1988. He won a unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision in 1990 wherein all professionals in Canada can now advertise their services. In 1990 Price left the health care industry and created Parkhurst Products Inc. a hockey card manufacturer. Currently, he owns In The Game, Inc. a sports card and memorabilia manufacturing company based in Markham, Ontario. In 2008 Price founded Independent Dental Hygiene Centres a company that performs dental hygiene services in retail locations across Ontario.
Hambleton also went solo and later played with the bands Rain and The Basics and with reggae act The Sattalites. Final A Passing Fancy drummer, Wally Cameron was briefly involved with Leigh Ashford
.
Rick Mann changed his name back to Richard Fruchtman and played bass with Whiskey Howl
, a seminal Canadian blues band, from 1970 to 1972. He then freelanced and played with Dan Aykroyd
, Gilda Radner
, Paul Shaffer
, Doug Henning
, The Diamonds
, Doug Kershaw
, Dan Hill
, Richard Newell (aka King Biscuit Boy), Tony Kosinec, String Band.
A Passing Fancy reunited for a one-off concert date in Toronto's Yorkville village in 1988.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
band from the mid-1960s fronted by the singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Jay Telfer, today publisher and editor of the antique collector's magazine Wayback Times, and Dr. Brian Price, president of In The Game Hockey Cards.
Early years
At Downsview Secondary School, Brian Price (organ, vocals) formed his own band, the Dimensions with brothers Jay (rhythm guitar) and Ian Telfer (bass guitar), Phil Seon (guitar) and Greg Hershoff (drums) in July 1965, The Dimensions were managed by Bernie FinkelsteinBernie Finkelstein
Bernie Finkelstein is a leading figure in the Canadian music industry. In 1969, he founded True North Records. Finkelstein managed The Paupers from 1966–1967 and Kensington Market from 1967-1969...
, (future president of True North Records and Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
's longstanding manager), who had also been a student at Downsview. After playing dates at many high schools across Ontario, the Dimensions became the house band at Cafe El Patio in the Yorkville Village through Finkelstein's connections. The band changed name to A Passing Fancy in January 1966 when Finkelstein left to take over the management of The Paupers
The Paupers
The Paupers are a Canadian psychedelic rock band that recorded two albums for Verve Forecast Records in 1967 and 1968 and appeared at the Monterey International Pop Festival.-Origins:...
.
By this stage, Rick Mann (aka Fruchtman) had replaced Jay's brother on bass. The new line-up began to gig extensively on the local scene. Through the band's fan club president, Barb Young, A Passing Fancy was introduced to record storeowner Walter Honsberger and partner Dan Bartollini, who began to shape the band's sound and image as Wal-Dan Management. Within a few months, the management team had wrangled a three-single deal with Columbia Records. The first single under this deal, I'm Losin' Tonight was very successful and charted across Canada.
In September 1966, Steve Wilson came in to replace Greg Hershoff on the drums. Aside from playing regularly at clubs like the Night Owl, the Gogue Inn and Club 888, A Passing Fancy also worked extensively at the Blue Fox and established a local following throughout late 1966 and early 1967.
Singles success and playing Expo
The band's debut single, Telfer's “I’m Losing Tonight”, released in February 1967, reached #22 on the CHUM chart the following month. While its follow up, “You’re Going Out Of Your Mind” only made #37 in June, the group's third single for Columbia, “I Believe in Sunshine” restored some faith by reaching #28 in September. By then, Steve Wilson had left and Louis Pratile joined on drums.During the summer of 1967, A Passing Fancy played at Expo ’67 in Montreal where they jammed with local band, Les Tetes Blanches. The moderate success of the singles, prompted Columbia to finance a fourth single, “People In Me”, was listed at #48 and failed to chart anymore when it was released in December.
Telfer's demanding need to practice was met with little enthusiasm by Price who was completing his third year in university and wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. In March 1968, Price quit. Although Telfer was recognized as the musical leader of the group, Price was the founder and spiritual and business leader. His leaving the band had a major impact on Seon and Mann. A Passing Fancy carried on by replacing Price with Fergus Hambleton on organ and vocals and Brian Smith who contributed a third folky guitar but the chemistry of the band was never the same.
After shooting at the CBC, playing the first Let's Go TV show in colour and performing that same night at the Granite club, Telfer was told by the Wal-Dan management that he would no longer be in the group. Unhappy over the new direction Seon and Mann left shortly thereafter. A few months later, in June 1968, the remaining members of the band also left.
Fergus Hambleton period
The Wal-Dan management decided to reform the band around Hambleton and in July 1968 brought in new members, Ron Forster (guitar), Dan Troutman (bass) and Wally Cameron (drums).The new line up recorded four tracks, which the management took to John Irvine of Boo Records. Irvine helped piece together an album's worth of material and released a lone single, “Your Trip”, but it sold poorly.
The self-titled album, which featured all of the Columbia singles, (including an alternate mix of “I’m Losing Tonight” with no lead guitar) was released in November 1968. Like the single, the album failed to make an impression despite the band holding down a residency at the El Patio throughout the latter part of 1968 and early 1969. By June 1969, the band had broken up.
Aftermath
Original member and guiding light, Jay Telfer went on to perform and record as a solo artist. In the spring of 1969, he recorded an unreleased album for Bernie Finkelstein with contributions from Kensington Market members Keith McKie, John Mills Cockell and Alex Darou; Malcolm TomlinsonMalcolm Tomlinson
Malcolm Tomlinson is most notable as a Canadian musician, particularly active as a recording artist in the late 1970s.-UK Years: Early 1960s-1969:...
and Louis McKelvey from Milkwood
Milkwood (band)
Milkwood was an Anglo-Canadian rock band formed in Toronto in March 1969 by former Influence guitarist Louis McKelvey with future Celine Dion backing singer Mary Lou Gauthier and English multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Tomlinson, who’d worked previously with future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre...
; Murray McLauchlan
Murray McLauchlan
Murray McLauchlan, CM is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player.-Biography:Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, he emigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old...
and Kevin Staples
Rough Trade (band)
Rough Trade was a Canadian new wave rock band in the 1970s and 1980s, centred on singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples. The band was noted for their provocative lyrics and stage antics; singer Pope often performed in bondage attire, and their 1981 hit "High School...
, who later found fame with Rough Trade
Rough Trade (band)
Rough Trade was a Canadian new wave rock band in the 1970s and 1980s, centred on singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples. The band was noted for their provocative lyrics and stage antics; singer Pope often performed in bondage attire, and their 1981 hit "High School...
. Telfer died in May 2009.
Staples also played guitar on an album that Telfer and Fergus Hambleton recorded together for Allied Records called “Come Together” as Goody Two Shoes. Telfer resumed a solo career and recorded a string of singles and a 1974 album, "Time Has Tied Me" for Axe Records in 1973-1974. On that album, Jay brought back Murray McLauchlan, Malcolm Tomlinson, Fred Mollin, Rick Mann, Fergus Hambleton and Kevin Staples.
In 1975, Jay Telfer moved to LA to marry and quickly divorce Bonnie Bedelia and later became a script writer for Cannon Films, which included 1977's Kid Vengeance, starring Jim Brown, Lee Van Cleef and Leif Garrett. In Toronto in 1979, Telfer wrote You've Come a Long Way, Katie a three hour piece on cross-addiction for CBC.
Brian Price graduated dentistry in 1972 and practiced for eight years before he founded Tridont Dental Centres in 1980. Tridont opened 107 dental offices under the from coast to coast in Canada. Price challenged dentists' right to advertise their services to the public in 1988. He won a unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision in 1990 wherein all professionals in Canada can now advertise their services. In 1990 Price left the health care industry and created Parkhurst Products Inc. a hockey card manufacturer. Currently, he owns In The Game, Inc. a sports card and memorabilia manufacturing company based in Markham, Ontario. In 2008 Price founded Independent Dental Hygiene Centres a company that performs dental hygiene services in retail locations across Ontario.
Hambleton also went solo and later played with the bands Rain and The Basics and with reggae act The Sattalites. Final A Passing Fancy drummer, Wally Cameron was briefly involved with Leigh Ashford
Leigh Ashford
Leigh Ashford was a rock group formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and which existed between 1966 and 1974.- History :The group was formed in 1967 by, the guitarist Gord Waszek, drummer Dave Cairns, bassist Joe Agnello and keyboard player Newton Garwood. In 1969, record producer Jack Richardson...
.
Rick Mann changed his name back to Richard Fruchtman and played bass with Whiskey Howl
Whiskey Howl
Whiskey Howl was a Toronto-based Canadian blues band, most popular between 1969 and 1972. The band is notable as being one of the early Canadian bands promoting and developing blues music in Canada.- History :...
, a seminal Canadian blues band, from 1970 to 1972. He then freelanced and played with Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd
Daniel Edward "Dan" Aykroyd, CM is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.-Early...
, Gilda Radner
Gilda Radner
Gilda Susan Radner was an American comedian and actress, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, for which she won an Emmy Award in 1978.-Early life:...
, Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
, Doug Henning
Doug Henning
Douglas James Henning was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.-Early life:...
, The Diamonds
The Diamonds
The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet who rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with sixteen Billboard hit records. The original members were Dave Somerville , Ted Kowalski , Phil Levitt , and Bill Reed .-1950s:...
, Doug Kershaw
Doug Kershaw
Doug Kershaw, born January 24, 1936, is an American fiddle player, singer and songwriter from Louisiana. Active since 1949, Kershaw has recorded fifteen albums and charted on the Hot Country Songs charts.- Early life :...
, Dan Hill
Dan Hill
Daniel Grafton "Dan" Hill IV is a Canadian pop singer and songwriter. He had two major hits with his songs, "Sometimes When We Touch" and "Can't We Try," a duet with Vonda Shepard.-Early life and career:...
, Richard Newell (aka King Biscuit Boy), Tony Kosinec, String Band.
A Passing Fancy reunited for a one-off concert date in Toronto's Yorkville village in 1988.
Singles
- "I’m Losing Tonight" c/w "A Passing Fancy" (Columbia 2729) 1967
- "You’re Going Out of My Mind" c/w "Sounds Silly" (Columbia 2755) 1967
- "She Phoned" c/w "I Believe In Sunshine" (Columbia 2767) 1967
- "People In Me" c/w "Spread Out" (Columbia 2772) 1967
- "Your Trip" c/w "Island" (Boo 684) 1968
Sources
- Interview with Jay Telfer, 2006
- The Toronto Telegrams After Four section on Thursdays list live dates